THE term supergroup is much misused but in terms of folk rock, The Gathering, who will start their first UK tour at Darwen Library Theatre on August 10, are just that.

The band comprises members of some of the most influential folk bands in the business - guitarist Jerry Donahue of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay; bassist Rick Kemp of Steeleye Span; Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker; Lindisfarne vocalist and mandolin player Ray Jackson and Doug Morter of Magna Carta and The Albion Band and Jerry's daghter Kristina.

"The idea started when I thought I'd put a few dates together for a band," said Jerry. "The idea just grew from there and everybody happened to be available and keen to do it so The Gathering was born.

"Initially we're just seeing how it goes. Obviously we will be performing some songs from the past that the fans appreciate but we will be putting our own stamp on them. However, we will also be putting some new material together and maybe having a five song CD available when we tour featuring the four lead vocalists and an instrumental from me.

"I think it's important that we put on a really good show but that it's not rooted in the past. The most important thing is that the audience enjoys it."

As a member of Fotheringay, Jerry Donahue was responsible for shaping the direction of folk rock along with the band's iconic lead singer Sandy Denny.

"The band only lasted a year and there were only ever five members but it had a huge influence," he said.

As well as working on the forthcoming tour, Jerry is currently working on unreleased Fotheringay tracks with a view to releasing an album in October.

"We were about nine tenths of the way to recording our second album when Sandy left the band," said Jerry. "We recorded songs as live in the studio and I have finally managed to get the master tapes. Now, after 37 years, the second Fotheringay album can be released."

WIth The Gathering, Jerry will be joined on stage by his daughter Kristina, who has her own band in the US.

Jerry said: "Kristina would come over most summers to see me and it would coincide with Fairport's Cropready Festival. I asked if she could perhaps sing backing vocals on one song but the band decided to let her sing a song as lead vocalist. That went so well that the next year they asked her to sing three songs originally performed by Sandy Denny.

"Kristina was very nervous but I said 'don't try to be Sandy Denny, do it as yourself' and it was terrific.

"Fairport is like being one extended familly. The drummer, Gerry Conway, is Kristina's godfather.

"it will be great having Kristina coming over and singing with The Gathering.

"Who knows where it will all lead to, but I think we'd all like to see it as an ongoing project."

l The Gathering play Darwen Library Theatre on Friday, August 10. For details contact the box office on 01254 706006.